Ask HN: How Can I leave Syria now and get asylum in Europe (Germany) • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: How Can I leave Syria now and get asylum in Europe (Germany)

#151

Post by pyre » Fri, Aug 30, 2013, 5:02 PM UTC

ma2rten wrote: post #132

wheels wrote: post #110

There's a lot of bad information here on Berlin. For context, I'm a non-EU software developer that lives in Berlin and now has permanent residence, as is my girlfriend. Germany is actually one of the easiest countries to get an immigrant work visa for. I would recommend skipping seeking asylum. There's a large enough job market in Berlin for developers that the work visa route will almost certainly be the fastest and…

> I would recommend skipping seeking asylum. +1. You were probably just using the wrong term, that may also be why your Google search did not turn up anything. Asylum is only for political refugees. These are not allowed to work, need to live in provided (usually very bad) residences, their children are not allowed to go to school, etc.

> These are not allowed to work, need to live in provided (usually very bad) residences, their children are not allowed to go to school, etc.

What's the point of taking in an asylum-seeker only to treat them like crap?

Yay! We've saved them from torture or death in their home country, but instead we'll just make sure to keep them uneducated and in below the poverty line?

Re: Ask HN: How Can I leave Syria now and get asylum in Europe (Germany)

#152

Post by amerika_blog » Fri, Aug 30, 2013, 5:04 PM UTC

Fight for your homeland, don't just run away and pass off your problems to others.

Also encourage Americans to stop their drone-crazed, war-hungry, spy-happy, immigration-positive President (or at least to change his mind).

War should be used when there are serious threats. Lately, the USA and Europe have been using war to overthrow the powerful so that mass culture can take over.

This is culturally akin to forcibly installing a McDonald's on every street corner.

Re: Ask HN: How Can I leave Syria now and get asylum in Europe (Germany)

#153

Post by amerika_blog » Fri, Aug 30, 2013, 5:05 PM UTC

level09 wrote: post #145

mkl wrote: post #93

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Rape victims can be jailed for over a year for "extramarital sex". That is not respect. http://www.ibtimes.com/dubai-safe-female-travelers-norwegian...

People like to generalize a lot. for someone who lived in Dubai for 5+ years, I find those stories really strange. the city is really different than what you get from Media. the government give a lot of privileges to western residents that's why the local population is nearly 18% of the total population. Dubai has a lot of problems with its social system, but these sex/rape stories are definitely not the major ones,…

> People like to generalize a lot.

Especially the mainstream media (MSM)...

Re: Ask HN: How Can I leave Syria now and get asylum in Europe (Germany)

#154

Post by yannis » Fri, Aug 30, 2013, 5:07 PM UTC

ck2 wrote: post #77

level09 wrote: post #46

I'm a Syrian hacker myself, and I can suggest you a better option. Go to Dubai, it is easy to get a visit visa first, if you are in damascus you can go through Beirut Airport as the path is still safe between the cities (got many friends coming through that route). then you can try to find a job in Dubai (should be easier as the economy is growing and since you speak the language), I myself know many startups and com…

This of course is assuming the poster isn't female. Do not go to Dubai if you are a woman.

I worked in Dubai and that is not correct. It is not a major issue, but Dubai currently has tightened on visa requirements for Syrians and is next to impossible for Qatar also, which would have been another alternative. I am moving again to Dubai next month for a two year stint. If you know anyone in Dubai that can push for you to get a visa, make it your first choice. At least it will give you time to make your next move.

Re: Ask HN: How Can I leave Syria now and get asylum in Europe (Germany)

#155

Post by [deleted] » Fri, Aug 30, 2013, 5:09 PM UTC

ma2rten wrote: post #132

wheels wrote: post #110

There's a lot of bad information here on Berlin. For context, I'm a non-EU software developer that lives in Berlin and now has permanent residence, as is my girlfriend. Germany is actually one of the easiest countries to get an immigrant work visa for. I would recommend skipping seeking asylum. There's a large enough job market in Berlin for developers that the work visa route will almost certainly be the fastest and…

> I would recommend skipping seeking asylum. +1. You were probably just using the wrong term, that may also be why your Google search did not turn up anything. Asylum is only for political refugees. These are not allowed to work, need to live in provided (usually very bad) residences, their children are not allowed to go to school, etc.

[deleted]

Re: Ask HN: How Can I leave Syria now and get asylum in Europe (Germany)

#156

Post by gaadd33 » Fri, Aug 30, 2013, 5:29 PM UTC

level09 wrote: post #120

gnaffle wrote: post #118

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Did they give a reason (that she was Syrian)?

Yes, they would initially say all is okay. once she pulls the Syrian passport they say: Sorry, we can't open the account. if any one is in berlin and can guide me to a bank that won't mind opening an account for a Syrian citizen, I would really appreciate it. Sadly, this was not the only case we encounter, you can read about a similar story happened to my family here : http://nidalalhariri.com/post/55999109847/airbnb…

Are you sure the issue is racism and not due to sanctions that a US based company has to follow (and possibly may not be well defined)?

Re: Ask HN: How Can I leave Syria now and get asylum in Europe (Germany)

#157

Post by pyre » Fri, Aug 30, 2013, 5:29 PM UTC

level09 wrote: post #145

mkl wrote: post #93

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Rape victims can be jailed for over a year for "extramarital sex". That is not respect. http://www.ibtimes.com/dubai-safe-female-travelers-norwegian...

People like to generalize a lot. for someone who lived in Dubai for 5+ years, I find those stories really strange. the city is really different than what you get from Media. the government give a lot of privileges to western residents that's why the local population is nearly 18% of the total population. Dubai has a lot of problems with its social system, but these sex/rape stories are definitely not the major ones,…

I'd say the biggest problem is the treatment of foreign workers. Maybe foreign workers from "the west" get good treatment, but the ones bussed in from Asia, for example, aren't treated so well.

Re: Ask HN: How Can I leave Syria now and get asylum in Europe (Germany)

#158

Post by Morphling » Fri, Aug 30, 2013, 5:41 PM UTC

amerika_blog wrote: post #152

Fight for your homeland, don't just run away and pass off your problems to others. Also encourage Americans to stop their drone-crazed, war-hungry, spy-happy, immigration-positive President (or at least to change his mind). War should be used when there are serious threats. Lately, the USA and Europe have been using war to overthrow the powerful so that mass culture can take over. This is culturally akin to forcibly…

It's easy to say that from the comfort of your home it's quite different when you might face dying in a crossfire or in another drone attack.

Re: Ask HN: How Can I leave Syria now and get asylum in Europe (Germany)

#159

Post by DocG » Fri, Aug 30, 2013, 5:48 PM UTC

I think if western countries are too hard for you you should try some eastern Europe ones. They have few if any request for asylum. Also visas and permits might be easier to get. You might do it faster, as there are no lines, and after move on to your wanted country. Once you are in EU, borders are pretty much open. although do your research before, I sadly cant give more advice at the moment

Re: Ask HN: How Can I leave Syria now and get asylum in Europe (Germany)

#160

Post by jsilence » Fri, Aug 30, 2013, 5:50 PM UTC

slowmotiony wrote: post #97

jsilence wrote: post #58

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As a german I am ashamed to read this, because I have to agree. Embarrassing.

I used to live next to a shelter like that, and the thing is a total shithole. Walls destroyed, stinks like hell, major crime around the shelter. A week before I left a 11 year old girl was gang-raped by the asylees. I do not blame germans who decide it's best for them to just send the asylum seekers back to their own countries.

I disagree.

The main principle of humanitarian help is very valuable. We shall not abandon our core values, just because some people go ahead and cheat on us. Yes, some do. I know that and I don't like that either.

But.

In general every person on the planet should be able to live peacefully and in dignity and if leaders in other countries do not build a system that is capable of providing this for all inhabitants, we should give them asylum and protect them from harassment.

Regarding those who are leaving their country and seeking asylum only for economical reasons, trying to escape poverty and a bleak future prospect, we shall not forget that a lot of our wealth is build on exploiting other countries. Our wealth is built on a system, that lets money and goods flow while disallowing the same freedom for people.

No, there is no excuse for rape and there never can be.

But before we judge these people we should always reconsider: Why are they here? What is their situation in the country where they come from? What kind of chance do they have in their country? What kind of chance do they have here? Do we give them a chance to behave and act well?

I refuse to follow the growing mob that does not reflect on the global situation, that does not differentiate and treats every foreigner the same, that suspects that every refugee is a criminal, dirty and trying to rape our children.